Mugabai of the Hagler war against the Leonard of the Hagler miracle honestly this is a legitimate toss up for me, John was quicker, alot harder hitting and less scientifically aggressive then how Hagler fought and Leonard in his aged state may have been quite prone to those inherit traits due to his faded ability.
Yea mugabai could be very dangerous too this version of Leonard, but if Leonard is focused he can out point mugabai and maybe even get a late ko. However you did catch me at a bad time because I just rewatched Leonard vs Mayweather sr
If the beast doesn't ko him this goes the distance, Leonard wouldn't break Mugabi down like Hagler did. Ray probably takes a decision but there's a real danger he gets caught.
I think this a close one. Leonard is slipping at this point, but imo Leonard always did well against big punchers. I don't think Mugabi would win, but he would last the distance. Imo the only way this goes is Leonard wins by an unimpressive SD in what is at least a great punch-out war.
Sugar Ray Leonard's faded ability helped him beat Marvelous Marvin Hagler in April 1987, to win the WBC World Middleweight Title, I am sure that his mobility and stamina would enable him to cruise past John The Beast Mugabi, Ray is not an aggressive fighter to go toe to toe with Mugabi, he would stick and move, would not engage with him. Leonard is too intelligent a fighter to even think of doing that. John does lack the stamina as he proved against Hagler, Leonard by unanimous decision.
This fight has so many variables it's no easy pick. Firstly, Leonard trained specifically for an ageing, slowing version of Hagler, one he knew he could beat. He didn't have a warm up against another live Middleweight as he knew that it would constitute a huge risk. Add to that the fact that the version of Hagler Leonard fought was post Mugabi. I've always been sure that Mugabi took a fair bit out of Marvin. For these reasons it not easy to know for sure just how good Ray was that night. Mugabi was very quick to close the range, had fast hands and genuine one punch knockout power. Admittedly it was 4 years later but Leonard had a painful brush with reality when he met a younger, more powerful man in Terry Norris. If Leonard ls going to survive and win this one he's going to have run and run, switch direction, feint and bluff and, whenever he can, get some punches off. Ray can't get tired and stand with Mugabi and trust his hand speed the way he did against Hagler, it would be suicidal. The version of Leonard that beat Hagler might just have enough left to hit and hop for 12 rounds and take a decision but one slip, one split second when he switches off mentally and he's out of there.
Are they going to knock each other down?, my friend in like the Rocky movies, Ha Ha, just kidding with you my friend.
Leonard still has an edge in quickness and Footwork. I can see RL getting off the canvas to stop Mugabi.
Never really see this match bandied about on here, but its a phenomenal fight on paper. Well done, OP. Fireworks guaranteed!
Mugabi was a very good banger but somewhat stiff legged,I think Ray would outbox him for a dec, but he would be in jeopardy all the time he was in there.
I think I'll pick Mugabi. That version of Leonard was rather faded and Mugabi didn't hesitate to throw punches. I'm not sure Leonard could flummox him with flim-flam like the end-of-the-road version of Hagler. I agree with LoadedGlove that Mugabi took something out of Hagler, too. Mugabi landed shots on Hagler that would have straight-up KO'd a fighter with a lesser chin. Sure, Leonard was more elusive than Hagler, but his chin was worse and so was his power. Leonard would have to fight a perfect fight and I reckon he'd get clipped at some point. Mugabi's punches came fast.
Obviously I'd favour a more prime Leonard over Mugabi. It's just my opinion that he'd slowed down enough for a guy like Mugabi to catch up with him at that time.
No, I don't think it would be that good of a fight. But Leonard often traded with big punchers, like Duran and Hearns, and even with Hagler at times, and you know Mugabi wouldn't object. I don think that Leonard would have to limit the exchanges to win though.
